Derek Rose's season ended after only 10 games due to persistent injuries, leaving fans deeply saddened.

However, every cloud has a silver lining. Jimmy Butler's progress with the Bulls this season has been remarkable. He's averaging 18 points per game, second only to Luol Deng on the team.

More importantly, he brings energy and defense to the Bulls, averaging 38.7 minutes of playing time, ranking in the top ten in the league.

Durable, capable of scoring, and with strong defensive intensity, such a player is truly rare.

His progress has allowed the Bulls to remain third in the Eastern Conference, behind only the Heat and the Pacers, even without Rose.

Coincidentally, Tang Tian's home-and-away games have put him up against his training camp buddies one after another.

Lamb from the Thunder, Irving from the Cavaliers, Walker from the Bobcats, Thompson from the Warriors.

Now that Tang Tian has crushed the first four, it remains to be seen if Butler can win some glory for their hardworking brotherhood.

Although the Bulls are currently third, the fourth-place Raptors have a similar record.

As the season enters March, every win and loss is crucial.

The Pelicans are in a similar situation. Their eight-game winning streak has tied them with the Grizzlies, and one more win would push the Grizzlies to eighth.

"Tang, did you see the news? Durant took 35 shots in the game against the Clippers!"

After the training session on game day, Metta World Peace said to Tang Tian with a smile.

Tang Tian was surprised to hear this.

Durant is a scoring machine, but he's also the type of player who scores with incredible efficiency.

The last time he played the Pelicans, he scored 43 points but only took 28 shots. It's hard to get him to take 30 shots.

Statistically, his previous career high for shot attempts was 34, and he's only taken 30 or more shots in a dozen games.

Now he's taken 35 shots in a single game, which is really surprising.

"Did the Thunder win?"

Tang Tian asked casually.

Metta World Peace shook his head with a smile.

Tang Tian was even more surprised.

Durant took 35 shots and the Thunder still lost?

He took out his phone and checked the news himself.

Durant scored 41 points on 17-for-35 shooting, but the Thunder narrowly lost to the Clippers by 5 points.

It was true.

But after thinking about it, it made sense.

The Thunder's situation is clearly different from the Pelicans. Russell Westbrook and Reggie Jackson are both players who need the ball in their hands.

Durant taking so many shots is definitely detrimental to the Thunder.

"Looks like he really doesn't want to give you the scoring title."

Metta World Peace continued, with a hint of disdain in his eyes.

He's already a superstar on a super team, yet he still cares so much about the scoring title. He's seen it all.

But Tang Tian wasn't too surprised. Durant's personality is like that: sensitive and easily angered. He doesn't like me, so of course he'll try to steal the scoring title.

Tang Tian also took a look at social media.

"Didn't Durant say before that you just have to shoot like crazy to win the scoring title? Who took 35 shots?"

"Small stuff. Didn't he say he could easily beat the Pelicans? What was the result?"

"Kevin 'Slapping Himself in the Face' Durant!"

"Haha, bro, that's a dangerous thing to say. You need at least a hundred million in assets to say that!"

"But with that said, I'm really looking forward to the scoring title race now. At this rate, you'll need to average at least 30 points, maybe even more, to win the scoring title this year!"

...

Besides criticizing Durant's shot selection, fans are also more excited about this year's scoring title race.

This is actually a very topical thing. The league hasn't seen this kind of spectacle for many years.

Tang Tian smiled, but after putting down his phone, he stopped paying attention to it.

Let him compete if he wants.

The Pelicans' situation is different from the Thunder's. He's the only ball-handler in the starting lineup, so him taking more shots is what the team needs.

Or, in other words, the Pelicans have a higher chance of winning if he takes more shots.

That's his natural advantage.

In another arena, the Bulls held a pre-game practice open to the public.

After practice, Jimmy Butler was interviewed by Chicago media at the sidelines.

"The Pelicans are on a roll, winning eight straight. Tang has been especially impressive. What's your assessment of him? As far as I know, you two trained together in the summer?"

The reporter seemed to have done a lot of preparation before the interview.

"He's my role model, and the goal I'm chasing."

Butler's opening remarks surprised the reporter.

Butler had never said anything like that before.

"We were in the same conference in college, and we've played against each other more than once. I know his strength, and I know the progress he's made in the NBA. He's the type of player who's constantly getting better, and that's what I'm trying to do."

However, Butler's following words made the reporter understand.

The Tang Tian that Butler saw as a role model wasn't the dazzling Tang Tian, but the Tang Tian who worked hard and constantly improved.

"Do you feel pressure when you match up against him? If you see him as a role model?"

The reporter asked.

"No, it motivates me. I'll give 120% to compete against him. That's what I have to do."

Butler's eyes were full of zeal.

He and Thompson were actually the opposite. Thompson was gradually falling behind in a 1000-meter race after running 800 meters, and soon couldn't even see Tang Tian's shadow.

But in his case, he couldn't see Tang Tian's shadow for the first 800 meters, but finally saw him when he reached the 800-meter mark.

It's the same as "there's still half a glass of water" versus "there's only half a glass of water left."

The same situation can be interpreted differently, and the mentality is also different.

That night, the Bulls and Pelicans game tipped off at the United Center in Chicago.

Rose watched from the sidelines. The Bulls' starting lineup consisted of Hinrich and Butler in the backcourt, Deng and Boozer on the frontline, and Noah at center.

The Pelicans started Aminu, with Holiday and Tang Tian in the backcourt, Aminu and Davis on the frontline, and Ajinca at center.

Davis won the opening tip for the Pelicans. Tang Tian faced Butler's on-ball defense in the frontcourt.

Butler's defense is similar to Tony Allen's. Although his defensive experience and ability are somewhat lacking, his tenacity is even greater.

Tang Tian's first on-ball attack was stopped by him.

Compared to the previous four training camp brothers, Butler's mental state was clearly different.

Back on the Bulls' offensive end, Boozer pulled Davis out, Deng's drive missed, but he grabbed the offensive rebound and put it back in.

These two possessions became a microcosm of the first half of the first quarter.

Tang Tian was very uncomfortable being defended by Butler, and Ajinca was clearly struggling under the Bulls' physical pressure.

He was originally a backup-caliber center, but he was forced to start because the Pelicans had no one else available in the frontcourt.

In games like this against strong teams, his impact is not much different from Smith's.

Speaking of which, the Pelicans' previous win against the Thunder was thanks to Whiteside emerging as a surprise weapon inside.